Clinical Leadership

Gary Moore, DDS, a dentist in Colorado Springs, Colo., is creating negative air pressure rooms in his dental office so he can see patients.

A dentist in Oklahoma is asking for donated sleep apnea machines to create respirator masks for front-line healthcare workers, CBS affiliate News On 6 reports.

Dental offices in Utah can immediately reopen, Gov. Gary Herbert announced April 22, according to the Cache Valley Daily.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he was relaxing restrictions on certain surgeries and procedures in the state, but some dentists are struggling to interpret what care is allowed under the order, according to KXAN-TV.

Some dental professionals are voicing concern over Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts' reopening plan, which will allow dentists, optometrists and elective surgeries to return May 4, according to KETV.

Dentists are asking government officials for COVID-19 tests before reopening, according to The Hill.

As parts of the U.S. move to gradually reopen, the California Dental Association outlined how dentists will resume patient care and what changes will be needed to provide such care.

CMS shared recommendations on restarting essential healthcare services for areas with low or stable levels of COVID-19.

The American Dental Association released interim personal protective equipment guidelines as some states consider reopening, though the ADA still recommends that dentists provide only emergency care until at least April 30.

David Baker, DDS, of Implant and Periodontal Clinic in Bellingham, Wash., has patients undergo a COVID-19 test before they are treated for emergency care, according to the Bellingham Herald.